Pregame notes: No word yet as to whether Zoilo Almonte will be placed on the disabled list, but it's a pretty safe bet that he won't be in the lineup today. ... Outfielder Melky Mesa is tied for the organization lead in both home runs (4) and RBIs (11). ... Outfielder Abe Almonte and infielder Walter Ibarra were out early working on push-bunting drills. ... Defensive coordinator Torre Tyson is on the field right now, and I assume pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras is still lurking somewhere around the ballpark. ... Harrisburg's Jeff Kobernus leads the Eastern League with 24 hits.

Update - 5:59: Phew. Spoke to Melky Mesa, Christian Garcia, Tony Franklin and Nardi Contreras during pregame. That's a lot of transcribing to do. Garcia's happy to be back and healthy again, Mesa's sticking to the work he's always done, Contreras won't be seeing Charleston or Tampa in person this year, and Franklin has never seen anything like the rash of injuries his team is currently dealing with.

Oh yeah, and there's this Pettitte fellow. The Associated Press is reporting that Pettitte, who threw 5 innings against Pirates minor leaguers today, will likely make his next start here. That would occur on April 25, a 7:05 contest against Erie.